The beauty influencer world has been buzzing lately with the reveal of the most impactful names in the industry for 2024.
Surprisingly, some of the rankings may not be what you’d expect.
According to influencer marketing platform Lefty.io, Hailey Bieber is currently the top beauty influencer, largely due to the tremendous success of her skincare brand, Rhode.
Hailey Bieber Tops the List with Rhode Skincare Success
At just 28 years old, Hailey Bieber, daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin, has an earned media value (EMV) of an impressive $2.2 billion.
Rhode has quickly risen to become one of the most talked-about brands, thanks to its authentic marketing strategies and viral products like the iPhone lip case.
Rhode’s success solidified its position as the breakout beauty brand of 2024.
Ariana Grande Makes a Major Impact with r.e.m. Beauty
Right behind Bieber is Ariana Grande, who has become a major force in the beauty industry.
The singer’s r.e.m. beauty brand, along with her incredibly popular perfume line, has earned her a solid spot on this list.
Grande’s Cloud perfume, in particular, has been a global sensation since its launch in 2018.
Last year, her fragrance sales surpassed $1 billion, cementing her as one of the most successful celebrity beauty entrepreneurs.
Kylie Jenner Continues to Shine with Kylie Cosmetics and Kylie Skin
Kylie Jenner, who has been a pioneer in blending beauty with social media, comes in third.
She was one of the first major influencers to turn her social media fame into a cosmetics empire.
Since launching Kylie Cosmetics in 2015, the brand has grown tremendously, and her other venture, Kylie Skin, has followed suit.
Interestingly, Jenner’s famous sisters didn’t make the cut for the top beauty influencers list, although they had a stronger showing in the fashion influencer rankings.
Kim Kardashian ranked third in fashion, and Kendall Jenner took the fifth spot.
Selena Gomez and Kim Jisoo Round Out the Top Five
Selena Gomez, with her hugely successful Rare Beauty brand, takes the fourth spot.
The brand has been praised for its inclusive approach to beauty, which has resonated deeply with fans.
Following Gomez is Kim Jisoo, the South Korean pop star and member of Blackpink.
Jisoo is a long-time face of Dior and Dior Beauty, and her influence in both the music and beauty worlds continues to grow.
Rihanna’s Surprising Drop to Sixth Despite Fenty’s Success
A bit of a surprise in this list is Rihanna, who ranks sixth despite the immense success of her Fenty Beauty brand.
Fenty Beauty is now so successful that it seems to operate independently of Rihanna’s celebrity status.
The singer has shifted her focus to her multiple businesses, including Fenty Skin, Fenty Hair, and Savage x Fenty lingerie, while her music career has taken a backseat.
Rihanna’s focus on these ventures makes it clear that Fenty Beauty no longer needs her presence to thrive.
Beauty Over Music for Grande, Gomez, and Rihanna?
This shift towards beauty brands has sparked speculation that Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, and even Rihanna may be stepping away from their music careers for good.
While Grande recently stated that she’s not currently in the studio but is working on releasing some old material, Gomez admitted that acting now takes precedence over music.
“I think I might be a little too old for the pop-star life,” she said in a recent interview, signaling a potential shift in her focus.
As for Rihanna, her remark during a Fenty event in Barbados last year that “God had other plans for me” reignited discussions about whether she will ever release her much-anticipated ninth album or if her focus will stay entirely on her business ventures.
The Future of Music and Beauty for These Celebrities
With beauty brands taking center stage for many of these stars, it’s unclear whether they will continue to maintain their presence in the music world.
While beauty may currently be the priority, only time will tell whether these influencers will fully shift away from their musical roots for good.